Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-16

Are the Bendholdsrs Acting n aesa
Faith5


TO Nc Editor of the Dispafch'
II must be . source OF the deepest
regret 10 eli who are in sympathy with
the highly commendable course OF the
Dispafci in its dealing with the effort
being made 10 effect q settlement OF
the debt question fair and just to the
bondholder and satisfactory to the
poverty-distressed people of Virginia
to see the announcement made in your
special from Alexandria, under date OF
April 18th, in which it is stated
that the representatives of the foreign
bondholders in that section have "per-
fected arrangements for the payment
in coupons OF licenses, including bar
rooms and retail liquor stores, and that
their agent from Richmond was on
hand with the necessary State bonds to
carry out the arrangements. Now there
are not q few of the representatives of
the people OF Virginia, and the writer
is one of that number, who have made
every effort TO avoid any action on the
part of the State TO impede an AMIGA
bic settlement of the debt troubles, or
that would place the old Commonwealth
in the list of repudiating States, but
the unrelentiDg war made by the bond
holder must sooner or later drive these
to abandon all efforts to stay the dire
calamity. How can the bondholders
hope by this course to further such q
settlement as even they indicate in
their request for conference with the
representatives of the State? Indeed
is it fair to the people OF Vir-
ginia, while the conference asked
for by the bondholder is pending, for
the war upon the revenues of the State
to be continued ? Certainlynot, in view
of the fact that after this conference
had been agreed on the Legislature
ceased to pass any measures to obstruct
the use of coupons, but deferred all
such action to await the result OF this
conference. Should the representa-
tives of the bondholders soon TO arrive
in Richmond find the members of the
General Assembly less confident
of a good result from the con-
ference or less disposed to consider IA
vorably any propositions of compro-
mise that might be made, the blame
must rest in a large degree, in fact en-
tirely, upon those who are responsible
for the continuance of this war upon
our revenues. Take the case of an in
dIyidual creditor and debtor who are
engaged in a fierce litigation in
the courts. The creditor asks the
debtor for conference with
view Of amicably adjusting their diffe-
rences; the request is granted, and the
debtor ceases to prepare for further de-
fence, and awaits in good faith to see
what his creditor has to offer or what
may be the result of the negotiations.
Will any fair minded man say that in
such case the creditor has o right to
continue to annoy the debtor by press
ing his suit? Certainly not ! And,
no fair minded man will
fail to notice this unmistakable evidence
Of the lack of good faith on the part
Of the creditor in the effort to eff
feet settlement that he him
self has inaugurated. 1t might have
been expected Of Mr.. Royal, who has
ut least been manly in his bearing as the |
of the bondholders, that |
he would have advised against the |
course of his clients reported by your
but, unfortunately, it |
appears in your issue of to-day that he |
IS at the bottom of the move. Unless he
loes not desire peaceful settlement of |
the debt question let him set this down
Is another mistake committed in his
zeal to further his clients interest.
% Fair play is a jewel" and now, while
he Legislature is away taking a recess
It the suggestion OF Mr.. Royals
'lients TO await the arrival of |
heir representatives, who are de-
Jared to be on a mission of peace
o our State, let it be left even to Mr..
Royal to say whether or not his course
S fair under the present circumstances,
md the answer must be, No. We can
mt hope that the representatives of the
soon to arrive, will fur
lish better evidence of the latter's sin
Gritty when they declare desire for a
,eaceful settlement than is afforded by
heir representatives already on hand.
April Is, 1887. PEACE.